Page 29 of Freshmeet
The setting sun behind the row of run-down houses offered flashes of warm light in the gaps between buildings. Morning rain showers had broken the terrible humidity we’d had all week, so the trip to the Student Union Building was actually pleasant.
Walking into the massive SUB, I first checked the general sitting area, but there was no blond in a garbage dress. I went across the hall to the food court, and there, sitting in the middle of a crowd of other people, was a blond guy in a red shirt. He looked familiar, but I was sure I didn’t know him. Then another blond guy popped into my head, and I swatted the errant thought away. I was starting to worry that all blond guys would make me think about Connor.
That’s so unfair to the rest of the blond, male population.
I stood a table away and kept my eyes locked on who I assumed was my pupil as he went still. The guys around him noticed and slowly went silent. Based on their baby faces, it was obviously a table of freshmen. “Freshman?”
He put his hand on his chest. “Jamie.” He muttered something under his breath that made the guys closest to him burst into laughter and nod.
“So.” I flipped my wrist.
He gathered some wrappers. “Shit, sorry.” Slinging his backpack over his shoulder, he waved at his table of bros and tossed his trash. We went across the hall to where there were couches, chairs, and tables for studying. “What’s with the dress?” He gave me a confused smile as he sat.
I took the chair across from him and tactfully crossed my legs.
Should’ve gone with four extra-large bags.
“I’m going to an ABC party after this.” He frowned in confusion, so I added, “An anything but clothes party.”
His brown eyes drifted down my body, and he nodded. “Gotcha.”
“So, what do you need help with?”
He shook his head, pulling out a folder and handing it to me. “I messed up the first quiz. Apparently, I don’t show my work right.”
Letting out a low whistle, I went over the quiz that had a big red D on the front. “You have Dr. Slash.”
“Yeah, and they’re already kicking my ass.”
I looked over every page and noted the comments written in red. “Good news is, I’ve taken this class with them. Bad news is you’ve got a lot of work to do.”
“I’m more than ready.”
“I don’t want to sound condescending, but you reaching out now was smart.”
Jamie smiled, pleased with the praise. “Failure isn’t an option, so I called in the big guns.”
I flexed my bicep, kissing the tiny bump of muscle there. “Thank you for noticing.”
“How could anyone miss it?”
I liked this kid. He was effortlessly confident, something I wished I would’ve had at any point in my life.
“Can I see your syllabus?”
Another minute of paper shuffling, and he handed me a wrinkled packet. “Sorry about that. I usually check it online, so that’s been living in the bottom of my backpack for the past couple of weeks.”
“No problem.” I flattened the page out, looking for the next assignment’s due date. “Perfect. You have another week before your next quiz. We can work on the practice set together and make sure you don’t get another D.”
“Awesome. Dr. Slash is letting us redo the first quiz for any grade below a C. Could we start there and work up to the next assignment?”
“Sounds good.”
Jamie eyed my dress. “Are you going to be comfortable in that? We can do this tomorrow if that works better.”
I adjusted the non-breathable material, ignoring the sweat pooling in my bra and panties. “I’m good.”
“If you say so.” Jamie leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “Before we start, can I get you a coffee?”
